Classroom Appreciation!

We started our day off with a bang as we came inside to begin morning snack. Our friends were having so much fun on our pitstop (the ramp) that we had to stay and enjoy the moment. Jasper, Joey, and Ivy lead the group in a running and jumping game. Paislie, Wren, and Theo ventured into no man's land (around the corner of the ramp) where they showed us a large old bike that they found. Koichi was still in the middle of drop off, but soon announced his presense with a rolling growl that every one could hear. We tried hopping, sliding, scooting on our bottoms, and other movements to get us around. Every so often a pre-tot would poke their heads around the windows, and our guys were fascinated to see them in what is for some, their old room. We took turns climbing the bike and inspecting its machinery while we talked about the beautiful weather, the breeze, the clouds, until we finally made our way inside.

When we entered we practiced patiently waiting in line to wash hands. It's a challenge, but we like challenges. We ate our fresh fruit and cereal. As we were finishing up, Teo arrived and we welcomed him. Scott (Teo's dad) started a phone conversation with a block, and soon every one was using the phone. Jackie used the phone to announce it was circle time, and we began by caring for the classroom plants. We practiced giving soft touches, taking turns, and really used our hand muscles to get our small spray bottles to work. Jasper figured out how to use two hands, one to hold the bottle, and one to push the sprayer. Wren started having fun spraying his friends with the bottles. Then friends helped us put the plants back in their homes, and we took out our fish who we're calling "Tuna Fish" at the moment. Every one was really excited to feed the fish one pellet; Teo paid very close attention to the small pellet (every one dropped their pellet at least once) and showed off his fine motor skills to pinch it and feed it to our pet.

Then we went outside for free play! Every one went their separate ways, and enjoyed exercising their gross motor skills! Koichi and Paislie headed straight for the slides.Jasper, Wren, and Alanna were playing peekaboo with some dangling sheets. Teo hung out in the sandbox. They were very interested in “target practice” that the primary class was exploring during their outside time. After a nice time spent outside, we made our way in for lunch and transition to nap!

After nap, everyone woke up happy and content, we read books and cuddled, while some of our friends sat on the potty. We had a short dance party, followed by Spanish with Ms. Leona! She brought egg shakers, and while we sang the Rain song, we shook the shakers and made rain on the floors, tables, and with our voice. Our friends very interested in Ms Leona’s poster boards, and sat promptly for a few seconds admiring the songs and pictures on the boards.

In honor, as a way to celebrate Cooper’s last day, we all worked together and made him a card! His favorite animal is a Mammoth, so Jackie used her awesome drawing skills, and all of our friends helped color and decorate the card for Cooper! For PM snack, we enjoyed yummy “pizzas”, (gluten free bread, shredded cheese, basil, and tomatoes!) Koichi, Joey, Wren, and Ivy enjoyed sprinkling the toppings on their bread, while Alanna, Teo, and Jasper picked at the ingredients, and ate them all up separately. We are definitely going to miss Cooper, we gave him lots of love on his last day :)

Once snack was over, everyone split into different stations, working with the magnets, trying on costumes in the dramatic play area, and building tracks, using wooden blocks and ceramic tiles! And as always our day ends with a all out dance party, we listened to Olin’s Mixed Cd, and had so much fun moving our bodies to the different genres of music on the Cd.

Jackie and Dom